This is who I think should replace the MSSA

The MSSA is currently suspended from SASCOC and if my personal dreams comes true this marks the beginning of the end of the MSSA’s and Colin’s interfering with eSports in South Africa.

Best case for me is that the MSSA is allowed back under SASCOC to look after mind-games and traditional sports like Morabaraba. eSports should then allowed to form a new organisation to look after our far more interesting and modern sporting code. First thing on the table is to officially sever ties with the IeSF whose out-dated views on gender and gaming are misplaced in our multi-cultural and equal society.

But after that who can take over the running of eSports? And do we actually want someone to?

In my opinion we don’t need anyone looking after eSports in the country but at the same time the right organisation could help grow the industry immensely and we could quite easily become an example of how it should be done, rather than being the laughing stock of professional gamers. So here is my preferred layout of the new organisation that should take over eSports.

Board Layout

Straight up the new organisation isn’t actually an organisation but rather a board. The board will be made up of the following members

2 members from large private gaming leagues

2 members from player support bodies (or large clans)

2 members from the dedicated gaming media

2 members from the public

Each member serves a two-year run in office and cannot be elected again for a consecutive term. This immediately stops someone from thinking they are the lead in the board and stops anyone getting too much power.

Members of the initial board

As an example right now I’d populate the board as follows

Rob Hart

Desmond Kurtz

Anthony Nell

Ben Steenhuisen

Clint O’Shea

Gavin Mannion

George “barkie” Barkhuizen

Robert “PandaTank” Botha

But why those people?

So here are the reasons.

Rob Hart is a current DGL admin. The DoGamingLeague is the largest online tournament in the country and have a proven track record for organising and following through with trials and tournaments.

Desmond Kurz is the head of MWEB Gaming and while controversial in nature as he is also media. I believe he should be included as MWEB have been pushing competitive eSports in a big way and have some great ideas on how to make it succeed.

Ben Steenhuisen I struggled with this spot as we only have a single eSports player body and then picking someone from Bravado or Energy would leave me high and dry for abuse. So I’m taking an easier way out and picking Ben as he has been a vocal opponent to the MSSA’s backwards ways.

Clint O’Shea is one of the leads of Zombiegamer who have been working tirelessly for years in their attempts to give eSports great media coverage and to help organise tournaments and events.

Gavin Mannion me, ergh I don’t want to do this but after being probably the most vocal opponent of the MSSA I can’t really shirk the duty of ensuring the next body is a better organisation. I hope to lose this nomination.

George “barkie” Barkhuizen Is a name not known to many but he has been working behind the scenes to improve our eSports. He also brings a wealth of business knowledge to the table that would be immensely useful.

Robert “PandaTank” Botha Is South Africa’s only bona fide eSports professional. Now retired he would bring invaluable experience to this board.

So how does it work

So great we have a board, so what?

Well my idea is that this board simply oversees what is currently going on in South Africa. We don’t need new trials or tournaments. The board checks that the DGL, Mweb Tournaments, Orena and others are abiding by basic rules. And if these are met then they are awarded official status.

All games played in official tournaments count towards your country ranking. The board maintains a public leaderboard so that everyone can see who is currently the top ranked players, teams etc. This leaderboard would follow the style of the golf rankings (or Tennis) where certain events count for more points but all events count for something.

At the end of the year we can run an online tournament of the best South African players from the top teams to choose a South African team. So you can play the entire year with a bunch of Mexicans in your team and if you, in your personal capacity as a South African, are good enough you can still make the South African team.

But what about the money?

It’s not about money. I see no reason why anyone needs to pay a membership fee, in fact I see no reason why anyone needs to be affiliated with the board. Yes you need to register so we can track your progress on the rankings but we don’t need money for that. And if you don’t want to be tracked then great just be a gamer.

As for the money required to make t-shirts for winners and… no I think that’s about it I cover that in the next point.

And what about building the player base?

One of the things that SASCOC will be wanting to see is how we would firstly build the awareness of eSports and how we are going to help previously disadvantaged individuals. For this I would like to ensure that the board has some marketing spots in all affiliated tournaments.

We then take these spots to the large corporates in South Africa. Pitch to Samsung, SAB, FNB and the like to become the national sponsors. Part of this sponsorship deal is that we will be going around the country with shipping containers packed with all the equipment we need to lay down a LAN in a matter of minutes; taking these LAN’s into townships and giving them an opportunity to compete in the games. At this time the sponsor will obviously deck the entire place out in their colours and this will also fall under their corporate social responsibility that all corporates are mandated to do.

At the same time they will get prime marketing spots at the top events in the country with some of the money from the sponsorship going to the events themselves. So it actually pays to host events all over the country. If you have enough people interested in Dullstroom for a tournament you could have your costs covered.

The End

All members would be elected via a public vote. No one will ever earn a cent from being on the board and I’d like to see any trips over seas or across the country being publicly listed along with exact costs. No one needs to stay in the Hilton.

Hell we stay in the dodgiest of motels when we go to E3 or Gamescom and you don’t see anyone but Zoe complaining about that.

That’s my rough idea. I think we should get together and propose it to SASCOC before the MSSA’s disciplinary. So anyone who is interested, start letting me know the massive failures I have in my rough plan as well as nominating people you think should be on the board.

Oh and one last thing, yes we would have a round table and yes you can bring your sword…what a stupid question.

I couldn’t care less about what race/gender people are… nor do I have any idea who the best people are… this is just who I know from my little cirlce of trust…

they are obviously outside the circle

Anon A Mouse

I also don’t care, but you know how things in SA work. If those above are the best for eSports then by all means go with them. I know everyone will work their butts off to make eSports work. But I do also see a lot of criticism leveled at a board that’s made up as you are currently suggesting, and that will take away from what is important and at the heart of having the board in the first place.

Hondsepop

Demographics…yeaa, they may bring that up.

Rince&pop

Where R da feminizts?!

Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!

Suspended? For what reasons? Anyone got even a vague idea as to what caused the suspension?

Also, your idea around a board sounds pretty good.

Anon A Mouse

Something to do with MSSA criticizing SASCOC.

VampyreSquirrel

Because they don’t know anything about games or eSports?

Sith JJ

Stayed out past curfew, I think.

Weanerdog

I heard/read that one of the organisations who report into the MSSA had a problem with their audit report. What the problem was I do not know.

I fail to see that as a valid reason for suspension.. surely it would just be that organsation being suspended from the MSSA

Weanerdog

If that organisation makes up a material part of the finances of the MSSA it probably means that the MSSA themselves have a qualified audit report.

Mighty Meh

I’d like to upvote this article!

On another note I love the idea of everyone who is interested in playing at a competitive level be registered. I say this because I would really like to see some accountability for the blatant racism and digusting behaviour that some members of the gaming community tend to have. I would love to see a platform where they are punished like banning them from official game servers.

Its time that gamers stopped behaving like assholes. They are the reason esports has not grown.

Tiaan Pat

I agree with this 120% there is no reason to behave like this and gamers have no right to say things like that to other players just because they sit behind there PC and don’t have to face the consequences!

Spaffy

Tell that to everyone that posts on news24

Tiaan Pat

Yes News24 has the same problem! No consequence for your behavior and actions. It will be a different story if you knew the persons real name and can track them down! That will force people to think before they speak like everyone should.

Most people think that hiding behind a profile on the internet gives them the power to say what they want to – This just displays there character and lack of maturity!

ThisIsBullShlt

I completely agree that the discrimination and blatant disgusting behavior of some gamers is atrocious. However, I would fight against a system to ban people from official servers unless it is done by the game’s owning company/service owners. I’m not here to set up a para-morality police.

Being proactive. Well done Gavin, let’s hope something like this realizes.

Quentin Huggett

Yip sounds like a good plan. I also have extensive knowledge of the MSSA and know many of the pitfalls surrounding. I was part of the first MSSA sanctioned BF team that competed in Taipei. So also willing to help out if needed. Give me a shout.

Grant [_G_] Hancock

Nice proposal. Would be great if an organisation like this could be created.

Guild

I like the rough plan and think it would work well. So my 2 cents of ideas for what it’s worth:

1. There should be a central registration point for players and tournaments. Currently you have people registering multiple times on all the tournament host websites like DGL, MWEB, Orena and iVentsZA. Creating a singular point would be an easier system to administrate and for players/people to track their progress.

2. Problem is who would create the idea in point 1 if it is not funded by a sponsor or some sort of membership fee and you would need the buy in from the tournament hosts to move and adopt such a system. And just a side point, some of the current tournament host websites are really crap and difficult to navigate. So it would need to be something vastly improved.

3. I think hosting a championship tournament towards the end of the year per platform and game would be a great idea (dependent on amount of teams and if it is worthwhile). Start to create something akin to the cod champs or the international.

4. It would be good to setup twitch/youtube channels per platform/game for streaming and have casters for tournaments and games. I believe this would build more interest in the eSports for SA maybe even do a live broadcast with Supersport for a big tournament. Promote top tier clans/players youtube channels or streams. Build an audience

5. Build a brand from this. As mentioned in an earlier article about where are the fans and why there is no support for their clans or players. Truth is there is not enough coverage to watch players or interact properly. There is not enough promotion of top tier in SA or maybe I just don’t see it?

Tiaan Pat

Point 1 can easily be achieved! If the websites mentioned in that point work together to create a single platform for registration then it will not be a problem! Sharing their data might be a challenge but can be overcome.

Guild

I don’t think sharing data would be an issue as it would be centralized and this would only be at a stage if everyone is in agreement and working together. If you mean current data, I would scrap and start anew. Makes no sense to try carry old data, user registration would create the new data required.

The bigger problem would be getting all the current organizers to adopt into one system. They all have their own system and what incentive would they have to centralize. They all have their own system which they have had running for 2 or more years and view it as a solution for them.

Preferable it would be great to create the system with a organizer portal into the system where they would have a section for their own tournaments, correspondence, news, links and tickets. This would also allow them to create tournaments that don’t conflict with each other and they could have a separate section to interface with other organizers. As for the player, he has the player portal where he has a profile and is able to manage which teams he belongs to, platforms and games his playing. He could then see what the tournament organizers have planned based on the games he plays and chose which ones he wants to participate in.

But ya, just an idea….

Tiaan Pat

I agree with what you are saying! I think they can do what Microsoft did with Skype and Hotmail when they bought it. You have a main portal and links to their websites. To add to your portal there should be a calendar that shows current and future tournaments so that players can see when what is on.

I don’t think getting the big organizers to adopt would be a problem, they will have there coverage on the portal and links to their sites etc. This will definitely need a lot of thought and planning to make it smooth and user friendly so that players don’t get irritated and not use it.

Guild

I agree. Smooth, user friendly, simple and basically intuitive that anybody can utilize the site. Just needs the right creative team behind it, the buy in and input from all the organizers and the board with the final say via vote on functionality and appearance.

You would probably look at a 2-4 months planning, 6-8 month dev cycle, live test it for 3 months for public feedback, mark it as a finalized product by 18th month with a support team to address any issues that creep up and then look at updates and rolling out new functionality every 4 months if necessary.

Tiaan Pat

Ahhh that is the dream of every developer out there! The smooth life cycle of a product! Would be awesome if they could get a team together to do that but i am sure that the organizations will have developers that can do this.

Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

I propose wearing red overalls to all meetings, because that means you’re “there for the gamer masses”.

Brady miaau

arrive in an S class, clean the floor, leave in a 7 series you mean?

Weanerdog

The real question is that if MSSA is no longer affiliated with SASSOC can they then use South Africa as part of their name. I suggest maybe Mind Sport Southern Barbarians Oh wait that maybe already taken.

Weanerdog

Really good idea, I however would not be opposed to some kind of membership if it gets used to enhance esports through full time administration and support, but not for paying board members or travel expenses.

Tiaan Pat

I really support this idea you have!!!! This part made me super happy and i can just see how it would improve peoples gaming that does not have access to computers etc.

“We then take these spots to the large
corporates in South Africa. Pitch to Samsung, SAB, FNB and the like to
become the national sponsors. Part of this sponsorship deal is that we
will be going around the country with shipping containers packed with
all the equipment we need to lay down a LAN in a matter of minutes;
taking these LAN’s into townships and giving them an opportunity to
compete in the games. At this time the sponsor will obviously deck the
entire place out in their colours and this will also fall under their
corporate social responsibility that all corporates are mandated to do.”

I would support this and help anyway I can! Even if it is by setting up the LAN in my area so that these people get the opportunity to play games!

The tax rebate for corporations willing to support rural gaming development as well as competitive events would be enough to get the sponsors rolling in. Remember this is something that would be entirely in the hands of the sponsor so in essence they could run the event as they see fit. The results from the event would be all that the new organisation would need for selections and tracking. Oh and you would need a name. I’m thinking “eSports Advisory of South Africa” I wanted to say “Not MSSA” but that would be bad and stuff.

Consumer of Little Rabbits

Awesome article, even if speculative. Im awaiting clarity on the situation as a whole though. Got a feeling Colin and his cronies wont give up that easily.

Alwyn Venter

I am not surprised at the announcement although I have to say I am quite relieved it finally happened. I seriously like the idea of a new “body” or board being formed. For years there has been serious concern about the MSSA and the awarding of colors (which is technically the only thing people ever hear from them…well, that and the IeSF announcements).

Gavin, your idea is sound and I love your views on not making it about money; it’s all about the community and the players. From our side we will back the plan as we share your views on growing e-Sports and promoting it as the powerhouse it is rather than the laughing stock people (mostly parents) think it is. We would love to be involved in any way possible to help achieve this goal, just let us know where help is needed. Maybe a couple of guys need to get together to discuss getting it off the ground as I would hate to see nothing come of this idea… :-/

Regarding a representative from the public, I would also nominate Rowan “ScaRy Hammond” for input. If not a member of the board, then definitely someone to also offer input (I am sure there will be a list as long as my arm of people who would want to give input) as he has some great ideas on how to promote and run e-Sports.

Good to see these ideas are developing, what do we have to do to make them a reality? *Stoked*

Robert Hart

I’m honored to be mentioned, but to be honest I have no interest in ever getting involved in something like this. Our industry is perfectly capable of regulating itself and the tournaments that matter have always done fairly well by hosting qualification tournaments to find a nations worthy team.

A lot of paper could be saved if Sascoc simply said the winner of “annual tournament X” would be the national team for the next 11 months. Obviously they would need to make sure said tournament checks their requirements, but to me thats such a small thing compared to having an entire organisation set up just to get to the same result.

Anthony Nell

So basically SAESA then? Or SAESA with different members?

Zombie_Dredd

Only saw this now, but thank you for the kind mention. I’d blush if a zombie could so so.

Spartan7

what about those guys from the gaming lounge in Rondebosch they also promote gaming locally, they used to work with MSSA but left them as far as I know ?

Craig Gijoesenior Stuart

Well written and i agree 100% and as one of the older gamer’s (being age)in the community you have my backing. And i agree with the people you have actually chosen as the original board and have my vote should it be needed. Keep up the good work it is much appreciated.